Introducing the Vending Machines That Let You Trade Trash for Treasure!

"Reverse vending machines" are beginning to pop up in Sydney

07.03.2014 | Matt Fox |

How would you like to deposit your waste AND get a reward for doing so? Double win, right?

In the City of Sydney, Australia, Envirobank is pioneering the concept of “reverse vending machines” to combat all of the waste that gets tossed into landfills. The city says approximately 15,000 cans and bottles are thrown away rather than recycled, and they’ve been looking for a way to incentivize people to do the right thing. Apparently, those five and ten cent returns just aren’t cutting it anymore.

The concept is simple. Deposit your recyclable bottle into one of the new machines, and in exchange, receive one of several different rewards like two-for-one food truck vouchers, entries for a jackpot to win bus tickets, or tickets to the 2014 New Years Eve celebration at Dawes Point.

And what about people who just want to do the right thing in the first place, you ask? Well, using the vending machines, you can also opt to simply donate 10 cents per container to Clean-Up Australia. I’m sure there are at least a few good eggs out there who don’t need a reward for something they should already be doing.

Human beings are difficult to train, but I understand that feeding treats to dogs and cheese to mice has historically proven to be quite fruitful. Best of luck to Sydney!

Now, does anyone happen to have an idea about how we can recycle a busted-up American president for something better?

Matt Fox

Senior Editor

Fox has history in broadcasting that spans two decades. From his early days as an FM host and club DJ in the mid-90′s to his later experiences in political talk radio, he has always had a knack for combining topical news with his love for popular culture. Those experiences culminated in his position as executive producer for several radio shows featured in the TALKERS Heavy 100. Originally from New York, Fox has made the great pilgrimage down to sunny south Florida.

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